I am looking recommendations on a good salt water rod and reel combo to be used for surf fishing and or pier fishing. A few weeks ago when I was at Gulf Shores the kings were wearing it out on the end of the pier and I didn't have anything that could handle a king. I'm looking for something around 200.00 or less if that is possible. I would like to stay around a 7 or 8 foot rod. I just don't know what action in a rod i need.
Thanks

Penn slammer three is close to that price range and has a great drag system. The slammer 6000 series would be plenty big enough. All my rods are custom built so I cant help you much there. I do know that Half Hitch Bait and Tackle in Navarre and Destin sell their own custom rod in an eight foot series that is perfect for kings.

6000 series would be a 6500

Penn. If you want to fish the surf go with a 9 or 10' I have some Tsunami 9' that I like, think they were bought at Sam's in OB. About $100, maybe cheaper on Amazon. Add a Penn reel and you're set. Off the pier you may do better with a shorter setup.

Penn reels may be fine but I’ve had not so good luck with some of the rods. Problems such as the eyes popping out and guides breaking. Maybe I didn’t wash them good enough but I treated them the same as my shimano gear and it’s still going strong.

You are correct

Penn Pursuit II 6000 combo with the 8' rod. Get you some 30# single strand camo wire, #2 4x trebles, size #10 50lb test swivels and a box of cigs from J&M and go get em.

Just buy a combo. Penn fierce are very affordable $120 range. Penn battles next and Penn spinfisher. All of the combos can be bought for less then $200. Keep an eye on Amazon as you can get great deals on all...

New penn spinfisher is released in Oct on market so look for deals to start soon for the spinfisher V that is currently on market.

Thanks guys

I've got a Spinfisher V 3500 for specks and reds, and I love it. The Fierce and Battle IIs are great too. Buy and Penn and don't look back.

Rock’s reef at the Summerdale flea market usually has a good selection of rods. My Son bought a 7’6” medium heavy that is his go to king rod on the GSP. Ebay usually has Penn 706z or Mitchell 302 reels or go to the GSP forum and or the Pensacola pier forums classified sections and see if some of those guys are thinning out the herd. Diawa black and gold series reels are very good also.

Sam’s will set you up for sure. Just tell the tackle guys what you are doing and they will help you. Also pick you up a Cuban sammich while you are there.

Me an my brother have been runnin nothin but penns for a long time tho im more partial to the z series reels, the spinfisher v is a good reel and so is the battle. As fir their rods dont getem wet an letem get hot in the sun...repeatedly ..they dont like that....they will...how u say...fly apart when you set the hook. Im a believer in havin a good quality rod built. Was a dude at j&m i met buildin off some old stock kincor blanks an they waas shnazzy. Them there shimanos are some fine apparatuses as well.

If you’re only going to fish a few times a year, I’d buy a Penn Fierce combo. I’d probably go with a 5000 reel and whatever rod comes on it. Make sure you wash it after each use and it will last you a long time. I started out with a Penn Fierce 6000 combo and caught many a King with it on 15 lb mono.

I just bought 2 penn spinfisher v 8500 combos with 7ft rods for 164.00 each with free shipping on amazon. I believe they want more for just the reel at basspro.

That was a hell of a deal. I paid about 120 for a 3500 reel off amazon.